Great travelers, the Rams have won everywhere they have gone: in 1945, when they were based in Cleveland, in 1951, after joining Los Angeles, for the first time, and in 2000, as a St Louis franchise. But curiously, the Super Bowl, the NFL super final, created in 1967, had always been refused to them, when they belonged to Los Angeles (two finals lost in 1980 and in 2019).
Finally, nothing better than to impose oneself at home to put an end to this curse. As luck would have it, Los Angeles and its brand new SoFi Stadium (inaugurated a year and a half ago) was designated to host the 56th Super Bowl this Sunday. And, after reaching the final, the Rams were crowned champions, winners of the Cincinnati Bengals (23-20), after an end to the game with unbearable suspense.
LA and its stars (quarterback Matthew Stafford, receivers Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham, defenders Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey) got the better of Cincinnati’s young guard, organized around Joe Burrow, prodigious quarterback, but unfortunate hero of the final. It was indeed a sack suffered in the dying seconds that sealed the outcome of this Super Bowl.
Mixon, runner, becomes passer
But the Bengals will have to remember that two years ago they only won two games. And that no one expected them this far this year. Despite the loss, Burrow, runner Joe Mixon, receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and defenseman Trey Hendrickson had a great season.
From the start, there was engagement on Sunday with Hendrickson who sacked Stafford. But it was the Rams who struck first, their quarterback finding Kupp, his favorite receiver, for a first touchdown from 17 yards in the first quarter (7-0). The most spectacular action was then the work of the Bengals, Burrow finding Chase on 46 yards, action which allowed Cincinnati to reduce the mark on a field goal (7-3).
But Los Angeles immediately widened the gap, on a new touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford, this time for Odell Beckham (13-3). The Bengals replied immediately, however, thanks to a nice feint: the runner Joe Mixon turned into a passer, the time of an action, and found Tee Higgins in the in-goal (13-10). The Super Bowl was on.
Odell Beckham suffers a knee injury
The final minutes of the first period were tough for the LA Rams. Stafford was intercepted and, above all, Beckham injured his knee. We didn’t know it at the time, but the final was over for him. The score did not change before the break.
Upon returning from the locker room, Cincinnati struck a blow. With a superb pass from Burrow from 75 yards, Higgins gave way to the entire opposing defense and allowed his team to lead (17-13), for the first time since the start of the Super Bowl.
For the Californians, the situation worsened when Matthew Stafford conceded a second interception, which benefited Cincinnati. From a field goal, the Bengals led 20-13. Los Angeles reacts, however, also with a three-point kick (20-16). The meeting then closed.
Stafford and Burrow affected
The defenses put every quarterback in trouble. With a hint of pain as a bonus. Stafford hurt his foot and especially Burrow left the field at one point, dragging a leg. The Cincinnati QB, very poorly protected throughout the season by a weak offensive line, was sacked seven times on Sunday (against two for his Rams counterpart).
For long minutes, nothing happened. The punters took turns doing their job on the field. Then the end of the game got crazy. A comeback finally under control allowed the Rams to be at the gates of the opposing in-goal, with less than two minutes left to play.
After three missed attempts, Stafford finally found Cooper Kupp for a touchdown. But a penalty canceled it. Then, on the next play, an opposing foul gave LA another offensive streak. Again, Kupp received a pass from Stafford and the Rams took the lead (23-20), with 1’25 “to play.
Donald sacks Burrow and seals the match
The Cincinnati Bengals still had a chance, at least to tie. It started well, with some nice passes from Joe Burrow. But then the Rams defense got in the way and Cincinnati got bogged down. On a fourth attempt with a yard to go, 49 yards from the end zone, it might have been necessary to run Joe Mixon. Or attempt a field goal by Evan McPherson, who did not miss any in the play-offs.
But Joe Burrow preferred to attempt a pass. It was actually Aaron Donald, the formidable defensive tackle of Los Angeles, who put the grappling hook on him. Quite a symbol. The best defender in the NFL in recent years had just stopped the most promising QB the league has. And that’s how the Rams were crowned champions on Sunday.
Cooper Kupp élu MVP
First Super Bowl for Matthew Stafford, arrived this season in LA, after difficult years in Detroit, very weak franchise. First title also for Cooper Kupp, elected MVP of the match, with his eight receptions, 92 yards and two touchdowns, and Odell Beckham, who arrived during the year after difficult seasons in Cleveland. First title also for Aaron Donald, who is rumored to be bowing out after the match.
First Super Bowl finally for Sean McVay, the coach, aged only 36, who had already brought the Rams to the final three years ago (13-3 defeat against New England). Another Rams player to have a smile: Von Miller, the former Denver star linebacker, already titled in 2016, also arrived during the season and who therefore won a new Super Bowl.
The Rams are great champions. The Bengals were worthy finalists. The 56th Super Bowl kept all its promises. We couldn’t imagine a better curtain drop for the NFL season.
